absolutely must - ensure that our patients get the vaccine . It helps to give them realistic expectations . It helps to put risk and benefit in perspective .
As a participant , I understand that I had an immune response that was unpleasant , but it only lasted a day . I would rather feel bad for 24-48 hours than suffer for weeks ( or die ) from COVID-19 . These vaccines are safe , and the trials have shown that . The Food and Drug Administration is reviewing them as I write . Our key to herd immunity will be getting huge numbers of us vaccinated . Until we get there , wearing masks , physical distancing and hand hygiene remain our mantras .
Get the shot , give the shot , take your shot . Hold tight to hope .
Dr . Tailor is an internal medicine physician at Norton Community Medical Associates : Barret .
The 2021 Richard Spear , MD , Memorial Essay Contest is here !
“ How 2020 changed me : my life and medicine .”
The past year has been one for the history books — the sad parts . From a pandemic , to racial injustices , and adjusting to everything in between , 2020 has been hard to bear . This year , we are asking you to reflect on the year and write on the topic : “ How 2020 changed me : my life and medicine .” What changes were forced upon you , or you chose to implement , in your practice and in your personal life ? What innovations have you had to adopt as a result of 2020 , both in and outside the office ? What changes could you never have anticipated just 12 months ago ?
The contest has two entry categories : practicing / retired physicians and in-training physicians / medical students , with both groups writing on the same topic . The prize for each group will be $ 1,125 . The winning essays will be announced at the annual Presidents ’ Celebration and will be published in the July 2021 issue of Louisville Medicine .
Each entry will be considered on excellence in expression , creativity , readability and clarity by the all-volunteer judges . Each entry must be between 800-2,000 words . The essays are due on Thursday , April 1 , 2021 . ( No foolin ’.) All entries must be original , unpublished writing intended solely for publication in Louisville Medicine . Please remember HIPAA guidelines : include no info rmation that could potentially identify real patients in any possible way .
Send entries and cover letters via email as separate Microsoft Word documents to Kathryn Vance at kathryn . vance @ glms . org . Please use a separate cover letter with your name , entry category , essay title and contact information for our staff , who will remove all identifying information before sending your entry on to the judges . Please note that only GLMS members are eligible .
We ’ re looking forward to your essays !
THE 2021 RICHARD SPEAR , MD , MEMORIAL ESSAY CONTEST GUIDELINES
To enter you must be a GLMS physician member ( practicing or retired ), GLMS in-training member ( resident ) or a University of Louisville medical student . » THEMED ESSAY CONTEST : All entries must be original , unpublished writing intended solely for publishing in Louisville Medicine . Essays must be pertinent to the following theme . “ How 2020 changed me : my life and medicine .” » LENGTH : 800 to 2,000 words » DEADLINE : Thursday , April 1 , 2021 » PRIZE : $ 1,125 for practicing and retired ; $ 1,125 for physicians-in-training
» FORMAT : Do not put your name on your essay ! Judges are blinded to authors . Instead , include a separate cover letter with name , entry category , essay title and contact information .
» SUBMISSION : Send via email as a Microsoft Word attachment to Kathryn Vance at kathryn . vance @ glms . org .
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